Hey all,I know a lot of you guys here have done extensive research on which types of gear to to buy to get Jerry's tone.Pre-amp, power amps, pedals, pick-ups, speakers, and the list goes on.I'm just curious if anyone here has done a price comparison chart or something to get a idea of what's available.Some kind of chart that shows the low end gear, middle of the road, and high end stuff.And even low wattage bedroom gear to face melting stage gear.This list should only list the gear that produces Garcia like tone.Now I know there are a lot of variables, like buying gear off ebay and craigslist, but a estimated cost would be sufficient.

Can we work on this?

Once in a while you get shown the lightIn the strangest of places if you look at it right.

I'm real curious about Marsh Amps http://store.marshamps.com/index.php?cPath=49 (and other vintage fender replicas in general). He has good reviews from happy customers on a couple of different forums, and seems like the real deal. Quite a few AB763 preamp models (basically a twin, super reverb, deluxe reverb, and vibrolux clone). I emailed him and he said he does head versions as well for 150 bucks less (at least on the one model I asked him about). that puts the total at about 1225 (ballpark) for head versions of brand new point to point replicas of the vintage amps with high quality components, most of which can have a half power switch added (as well as other mods for more money). A little bit more expensive than the other ways to get the tone listed here, but man, it would be sweet to have a brand new replica of the real deal, and after you factor in servicing old vintage mcintosh and fender equipment, the amp would probably make up the cost difference right there. Another nice thing is you can buy the amps without speakers and he subtracts the cost of them so you save on shipping and get to put your own speakers in. I don't know, I am torn on what way to go as well and it is about the money, so this is a good thread. The one way I probably won't go is buying a vintage blackface or silverface fender amp. I live in a fairly remote area and there are no great tube amp tech's around. I just want something rock solid that won't crap out and cost me money and time I don't have. That is why a replica or the sms ctp with a mesa boogie 50/50 is appealing. Since these two options are about the same cost, I would say there are other advantages to the sms ctp/ power amp route. Once the sms and mesa are racked up, they are pretty protected for gigging, as well. And, you can use the pre and power amp for different applications if need be.

I insured my rack on a personal protection policy through State Farm. Cost $50.00 yr.The McIntosh prices are inflated because in the Seattle/Portland area the asking prices jumped dramatically in the last year, but it does give a relative figure if you buy a unit that needs work. Also my Mutron wasn't that expensive, but I'm also not holding my breath hoping I'll get another for $250.

Just a random aside on this. If you gig your gear be sure you check your State Farm policy. I had a rider for music gear through State Farm for a while, but I eventually found out their policy doesn't cover gear if it is used professionally. (At least, they told me they didn't offer one like that and suggested I look for a company oriented toward musician insurance.) I switched to a different company and the cost was about the same but they cover gear wherever/however it is used.

I use Heritage. Worth the money for peace of mind with my gear for any purpose anywhere I stay or go, including loaning gear and selling and buying. I learned long ago, there are places to scrimp to save an extra C note. Insurance isn't one of them.

"For me, I think the only danger is being too much in love with guitar playing. The music is the most important thing, and the guitar is only the instrument." JG

Jon S. wrote:I use Heritage. Worth the money for peace of mind with my gear for any purpose anywhere I stay or go, including loaning gear and selling and buying. I learned long ago, there are places to scrimp to save an extra C note. Insurance isn't one of them.

Jon S. wrote:I use Heritage. Worth the money for peace of mind with my gear for any purpose anywhere I stay or go, including loaning gear and selling and buying. I learned long ago, there are places to scrimp to save an extra C note. Insurance isn't one of them.

That's who I use as well. They're very easy to work with.

Me three. Something like $80k worth of insurance for about $350 a year. Well worth it.